Getting straightforwardly into the topic, Yes, Labradors have webbed feet, a membrane between each toe to connect them. Various dog breeds have webbed feet, and Labradors are one among them. The most popular pet dog across the world, Labs is one of the water breeds. Their webbed feet help them swim and get out of the water quite easily than other dogs. Not only swimming but Labrador’s webbed feet have many other advantages as well that every Lab owner must beware of.
Let’s shed some light on it.
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Do Labrador Retrievers Have Webbed Feet? WHY?
Labrador Retrievers have webbed feet and additional webbing between their toes than any other dog breed. Webbed feet help Labradors swim faster and more efficiently, making them excellent swimmers. Labradors typically have larger-sized paws and a significant amount of webbing that aids them an advantage on both water and land.
Labradors have webbed feet, but that wasn’t always the case. Several hundred years ago, webbed feet were noticed as a distinctive feature in some Labs. It was seen as a distinct advantage over other dogs. Thereafter, those Labradors were selected for future breeding, taking a tremendous performance advantage of these extraordinary features. And as a result, every Labrador with a bird have webbed feet that help them with different purposes throughout life.
Take a closer look at your Labrador paw, gently separate his toe to side, and you will see webbing in between. It is what defines webbed feet in Labradors.
What Kind Of Paws Do Labs Have? Are Labs Web-footed?
Labradors are web-footed, which means their paws have additional webs connecting fingers to thumbs. This feature helps the canine swim to retrieve games for their fishermen owners for ages. The original purpose of breeding Labradors was to help fishermen bring back fish that had fallen off the fishing hooks. Labs were ideal for this job since their webbed paws made them excellent swimmers who performed well in both water and land.
Webbed foot not only aids in better swimming but also helps Labs climb out of the water and have a good grip while switching from water to land.
Do Labradors Have Big Paws?
Labradors have bigger paws typically as any large breed. Their big paws provide additional support to that tall, muscular body, and even though their feet may look tiny, they can handle quite a lot of weight.
Even when Labradors are puppies, their paws are already on the larger side comparatively in anticipation of their growth. All labs have bigger paws when compared to their body given at any point in their life. Not only Labrador’s paws are bigger, but their front legs are thicker as well. At the same time, their rare legs turn out to be muscular but slightly thinner than the front ones.
Having bigger paws brings unending advantages to the Labradors. Bigger paws help in carrying around and balancing the body adequately. In addition, bigger paws also help Labradors perform better and be more stable in ice and snow.
What Dogs Have Webbed Feet?
Having Webbed feet is a major perk for dogs. Not only Labradors but different dog breeds across the world have webbed paws. It is no sort of rocket science but some kind of webbing between the toes and the rest of the paw part. Webbing makes dogs more agile and faster. It helps them transit easily from water to land and vice versa.
DID YOU KNOW? All dogs start life with webbed feet, but some of them lose most webbing as they grow up. Certain of it remains left behind but definitely not in the amount that it can be called webbed feet.
7 Dog Breeds With Webbed Feet- 2022
- Newfoundlands
Newfoundlands are popular dogs with webbed feet. Such feet and their waterproof coats help Newfoundlands survive better in both water and land. Similarly, like Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands were originally bred to support fishermen in Canada.
- Portuguese Water Dog
The most natural swimmers among dogs across the world, the Portuguese Water Dog, are what their name implies. These dogs have thick coats and webbed feet, and due to that, they have been used to herd fish towards fishing nets for ages. Portuguese Water Dogs are quite helpful in retrieving items that fell overboard into the water.
- German Wirehaired Pointer
A popular hunting breed whose prey includes waterfowl precisely is the German Wirehaired Pointers. Their webbed feet make navigating through muddy terrain and water bodies quite easy.
- American Water Spaniel
American Water Spaniels are highly athletic and agile dogs known for having webbed feet. This breed thrives on physical activity throughout the day, and swimming and hunting are their popular interests.
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Another dog with webbed paws, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, has an incredible build and agility. Webbed feet help Griffons to navigate easily through terrains and wetlands.
- Dachshund
Dachshunds, too, are dogs with webbed feet. However, more than for swimming, they use webbed feet for digging. Dachshund owners, therefore, have a common problem with their dogs’ specially if their house has a garden or a backyard.
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are another excellent swimmer dog with webbed feet. Their short and thick coat helps them stay warm even in the cold waters. They are not only great swimmers, but they are excellent swimmers as well.
Should Webbed Feet Be a Concern When Getting a New Puppy?
Features like coat type, colour, eyes, height, temperament, playfulness, and feet often are a matter of concern when getting a new dog. And why not? You are bringing home a life that is going to spend years along with you. But should webbed feet be a concern while bringing a pet dog home? Well, both Yes and No. Dogs, despite their breed, perform excellently as pets.
If your concern is to get a dog who is an excellent swimmer, can make it well on snow and ice, and manage his run excellently on the ground, then go for dogs with webbed feet. You can choose from many popular breeds, including Labrador Retrievers, Dachshund, Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retrievers, Newfoundland, Otterhounds, Portuguese water dogs, and Irish Water Spaniels.
Dogs with webbed feet are all-terrain canines, and they are always sure-footed, despite whatever the surface is.
However, the only concern while getting a webbed foot is infections. Webbing on paws means predisposition of foreign particles, moisture, and more that can likely lead to infections. Scoliosis, shortened tibia-fibula, and Cleft Palate are some common conditions that dogs with webbed feet suffer. But more than webbed feet, these conditions arise due to ignorance of hygiene and cleanliness. So, until you are ready to manage, your webbed feet dog can make it easily without inviting any such problems.
Wrapping up…
Labradors are dogs popular for having webbed paws. Their toes are connected by a small membrane, and it is easy to be seen.
Some Labs may have more prominent webbing than others. It is more prominently dependent upon certain genetics.